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  • Honda City CVT is now only Rs50,000 more expensive than manual variant

    Honda City CVT is now only Rs50,000 more expensive than manual variant

    In a development likely to spark interest among sedan enthusiasts across Pakistan, Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HACL) has announced significant price reductions for its highly sought-after Honda City models.

    Effective March 15, 2024, the automobile manufacturer has implemented noteworthy price cuts on two of its City variants, signalling a strategic move amidst a dynamic market landscape.

    This decision follows a similar initiative by the Indus Motor Company, which recently reduced prices for its Toyota Yaris lineup.

    Under the revised pricing structure, the Honda City MT 1.2L now boasts a new price tag of Rs4.649 million, reflecting a reduction of Rs50,000.

    Meanwhile, the City CVT 1.2L has seen a substantial price drop of Rs140,000, bringing its revised cost to Rs4.689 million.

    Of particular interest is the narrowing price gap between the manual and automatic variants, with a mere Rs50,000 difference observed between the two models.

    This adjustment is anticipated to significantly influence consumer preferences, potentially tilting the scale in favour of the automatic transmission option.

    The decision to revise prices comes in response to the recent imposition of a 25 per cent sales tax on automobiles priced above Rs4 million.

    This tax hike has prompted various automotive giants to recalibrate their pricing strategies to remain competitive in the market.

    Notably, Toyota also initiated price reductions for its Yaris sedan lineup, ranging from Rs73,000 to Rs133,000, in alignment with the prevailing market dynamics.

    However, it’s worth mentioning that while sedan manufacturers have navigated the tax increase by implementing price adjustments, SUV manufacturers producing vehicles below 1400 cc were unable to circumvent the tax hike.

    Advocating for the inclusion of a Rs4 million price cap, these manufacturers have found themselves subject to the augmented sales tax regime, impacting certain Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki models.

    With these strategic manoeuvres, Honda Atlas Cars Limited aims to not only cater to evolving consumer demands but also maintain its competitive edge in the dynamic automotive market of Pakistan.

  • Gold prices remain unchanged in Pakistan amid global market stability

    Gold prices remain unchanged in Pakistan amid global market stability

    Gold prices in Pakistan remained steady on Friday, in line with the unchanged trend witnessed in the global market for the precious metal.

    As reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), there were no fluctuations in the local market’s gold prices.

    The price per tola remained firm at Rs228,550, while the rate for 10 grammes stayed constant at Rs195,945.

    This stability followed a minor increase in gold rates noted on Thursday, with a rise of Rs250 per tola reported.

    Similarly, the international gold price held its ground on Friday, standing at $2,188 per ounce with a $20 premium, as verified by APGJSA.

    Silver prices also maintained their stability, remaining unchanged at Rs2,600 per tola.

  • SBP gears up for monetary policy meeting amid rate cut speculations

    SBP gears up for monetary policy meeting amid rate cut speculations

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has scheduled a meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for Monday, March 18, 2024, to deliberate on the nation’s monetary policy, as announced by the central bank on Friday.

    The SBP intends to release the Monetary Policy Statement on the same day, providing insights into its decision-making process.

    Anticipation looms as a prominent brokerage house foresees a noteworthy chance of the SBP reducing the key policy rate by 100 basis points (bps).

    Currently, the key policy rate stands at a historic high of 22 per cent.

    Arif Habib Limited (AHL) outlined in its recent report the likelihood of the SBP initiating a 100-bps cut in the upcoming policy, potentially marking the commencement of an interest rate reversal cycle.

    Despite Pakistan witnessing a decrease in headline inflation to 23.1 per cent year-on-year in February, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), down from 28.3 per cent in January, there are calls for cautious action.

  • Syria war death toll over 507,000, 13 years on

    Syria war death toll over 507,000, 13 years on

    Syria’s war has killed more than 507,000 people, a war monitor said Thursday ahead of the 13th anniversary of the conflict which has displaced millions at home and abroad.

    The government’s brutal suppression of an uprising that erupted on March 15, 2011, triggered a full-scale civil war that drew in foreign armies and international jihadists.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said more than 164,000 civilians, including more than 15,000 women and 25,000 children, have been killed.

    More than 343,000 combatants, including army soldiers, fighters from pro-Iran groups, Kurdish-led forces and Islamic State group jihadists, are also among the dead, added the Observatory, which has a network of sources across the country.

    The overall figure has risen from around 503,000 last March, with the frontlines mostly quietening in recent years.

    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has gradually clawed back territory lost early in the fighting with help from allies Iran and Russia, but large swathes of the north remain outside government control.

    The United Nations has said that this year, 16.7 million people in Syria require some type of humanitarian assistance or protection, “the largest number since the beginning of the crisis in 2011”.

    The war has ravaged Syria’s economy, infrastructure and industry, while Western sanctions have added to the country’s woes.

    Syria is home to around 7.2 million internally displaced people, the UN says, with a devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February last year compounding the problem.

    Ninety percent of the population is living in poverty, but UN humanitarian official David Carden said last week that funding challenges could affect aid deliveries and services.

    Suhair Zakkout, Damascus-based spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said 13 years of war have had “devastating consequences” on Syrians across the country, causing “unimaginable pain”.

    “Syria has a full generation… who has only witnessed the loss, the displacement, the war, and they know nothing but these things,” Zakkout said.

    Humanitarian organisations are working “to sustain the minimum level of the basic services” such as water and health so that “they don’t collapse”, Zakkout said.

    UN-facilitated efforts towards a political process remain stalled.

    Special envoy Geir Pedersen said last month that Moscow and Damascus had rejected holding talks in Geneva, the venue for previous negotiations aimed at forging a new constitution for Syria.

    Last year, Syria returned to the Arab League, marking Assad’s return to the regional fold after a suspension of more than a decade.

  • Soldier killed in central Israel stabbing: Army

    An Israeli soldier was killed in a stabbing attack in central Israel on Thursday, the military said, and a police official said the assailant was shot dead.

    The Israeli military identified the victim as 51-year-old Uri Moyal, a command sergeant major, and said on its website he “was killed during an attack at the intersection of Beit Kama”, a kibbutz roughly 55 kilometres (35 miles) southwest of Jerusalem.

    Israeli police commissioner Yaakov Shabtai told reporters at the scene of the attack that the perpetrator was a 23-year-old man who grew up in Gaza until he was 18 but had moved to Israel four years ago and “got married here”.

    Police “immediately arrived at the scene and the initial investigation revealed that a terrorist entered the restaurant on the spot, stabbed a soldier who returned fire at the terrorist and neutralised him,” a police statement said.

    A police official later told AFP that the assailant was killed.

    The Magen David Adom emergency service treated the soldier and transported him to a hospital in Beersheba, in southern Israel, the statement said.

    “We arrived at the scene in large numbers, we saw a great commotion, and next to one of the stores a man in his 50s was lying unconscious and suffering from stab wounds to his body,” Kalman Ginzburg, a senior paramedic with MDA, said in a statement.

    “We immediately put him on mobile ICU and took him to hospital in critical condition while performing resuscitation.”

    The attack came one day after police said two Israeli security personnel were wounded in a stabbing carried out by a 15-year-old Palestinian boy on a bicycle.

    That attack occurred at the Tunnels checkpoint south of Jerusalem, and police later pronounced the assailant dead.

    Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed 31,341 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry.

  • Which Bollywood actress likes Wahaj Ali?

    Which Bollywood actress likes Wahaj Ali?

    Who doesn’t have a crush on Wahaj Ali? Well, maybe your neighbour’s grandmother who doesn’t watch TV and perhaps your professor who thinks watching TV is a waste of time.
    The rest of the country definitely has a crush on the breakthrough star and that includes admirers from across the border.

    During an Instagram question and answer session, famous Indian actress Reem Shaikh shared her admiration for Pakistani actor Wahaj Ali. She revealed that she fell in love with him as soon as she saw him.
    When asked about her first impression of Wahaj Ali, Reem blushed and said, “I’m not joking, it was love at first sight.”
    Wahaj is known for charming people not only in Pakistan but also in India. His drama series ‘Tere Bin’ was a huge hit, earning him lots of fans. He’s becoming a big star in the entertainment world.

    Reem Sameer Shaikh is also a well-known actress in India. She’s worked on many TV shows and movies like ‘Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha’, ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’, ‘Tujhse Hai Raabta’.

    If Wahaj Ali ever decides to work in India, Reem Shaikh would probably love to act alongside him.

  • ‘Andaz Apna Apna 2’ is finally happening

    ‘Andaz Apna Apna 2’ is finally happening

    Rejoice, Bollywood fans, rejoice!
    Andaz Apna Apna 2 is finally happening!

    In a special live Instagram session held on March 14, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan shared big news on his birthday. He talked about the sequel to the famous comedy movie, Andaz Apna Apna. During the session, Aamir said, “Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi is working on the script of Andaz Apna Apna 2. I’m glad he started thinking about it because I think it will be a great film for all of us to do and for audiences to watch.” However, he mentioned that the movie is still in the early stages, so fans shouldn’t expect it to release soon.

    The news has excited fans who have been waiting for the sequel to the 1994 cult hit movie. They are hoping to see Aamir and Salman Khan reprise their roles as the bumbling con artists Amar and Prem. Whether Salman will be part of the sequel or not is still uncertain.

    Besides talking about Andaz Apna Apna 2, Aamir also talked about the possibility of working with Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. He said, “Even I think we should do a film together. When we were together, Shah Rukh, Salman and me, we were also contemplating that we must do a film together in our careers.” Aamir’s words have sparked speculation about the three Khan stars teaming up for a movie, raising hopes among fans for a blockbuster collaboration.

    Fans are eagerly waiting for more updates on both the Andaz Apna Apna sequel and the potential collaboration among the three Khans. Aamir’s birthday revelations promise exciting times ahead for Bollywood fans, hinting at the return of cherished classics and big collaborations in the coming days.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi advocates for a positive set environment.

    Hamza Ali Abbasi advocates for a positive set environment.

    He may have played the cold-blooded villain of ‘The Legend of Maula Jutt’, but Hamza Ali Abbasi is known to be one of the most easy-going people in the entertainment industry.

    The star spoke about the importance of having an enjoyable atmosphere on set, where everyone, including the cast and crew, joke around. After a five-year break, he returned to TV with a remarkable performance as Shahram in ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’ released in December 2023. “I actually had to break down like a child,” recalled Hamza.

    “It was my favourite scene,” he said, reflecting on a poignant moment in the show. “Everyone is very chilled and laidback. No one is hot-headed in our team, cast or crew. Everyone is funny.” Despite the show having a romantic aspect, Hamza emphasized that it’s not just a love story, praising the writers for creating a complex plot. “It’s a very, very good package,’ he said seriously. “I just really hope you like Jan-a-Jahan.” Hamza also has camaraderie with his onscreen brothers and the supportive team of writers, hoping viewers would enjoy the show as much as he enjoyed working on it.

  • Turks Up In Arms Over Killing Of Stray Cat

    Turks Up In Arms Over Killing Of Stray Cat

    The killing of a stray cat in Istanbul has triggered petitions, protests and death threats, pushing the president to intervene and the courts to retry the culprit.

    On January 1, Ibrahim K. was caught on a security camera in the lobby of the building where he lived kicking to death a stray cat named Eros that his neighbours regularly fed.

    He was sentenced in early February to 18 months in jail but was then released for good behaviour, sparking indignation among animal welfare groups and a section of the public in Turkey, whose large stray cat population is often fed and sheltered.

    Some 320,000 people signed an online petition demanding a stiffer sentence and in late February the justice ministry said Ibrahim K. would be retried after it received a night-time call from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying he was taking a “personal” interest in the case.

    Ibrahim K. was retried on Wednesday in a court building where hundreds of people thronged the corridors and the atmosphere was tense.

    The judges increased his sentence by one year but did not order him to be detained, ignoring the demands of animal welfare groups and internet trolls who have sent him death threats.

    One animal rights group is to appeal, saying Ibrahim K. should be jailed for the maximum four years allowed by law.

    On Thursday, the hashtag #JusticeforEros (#ErosicinAdalet) was trending on X, formerly Twitter, in Turkey and several major newspapers, including Hurriyet, splashed pictures of the dead cat on their front pages.

    Hurriyet carried several articles about Eros and “Ibrahim the killer”.

    Several celebrities have joined the Justice for Eros appeal, including Argentinian footballer Mauro Icardi, the star striker at Istanbul giants and reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray.

  • Ambani bahu wears Saudi designer dress

    Ambani bahu wears Saudi designer dress

    Last week, everyone was talking about Radhika Merchant, wife-to-be of Anant Ambani. The future bride wore stunning outfits at all her pre-wedding events.
    For one of the endless days of celebration, Radhika wore a beautiful gown made by Mohammed Ashi, a designer from Saudi Arabia. The gown was light pink with crystal embellishments and had a long train.

    She also wore a custom-made Versace gown inspired by New York’s buildings, and a colorful dress by Ashish Gupta paying tribute to disco culture. Her Manish Malhotra lehenga was traditional but with a modern touch.

    But it’s not just her clothes that caught attention. Radhika’s jewelry included diamond accessories and traditional Indian jewels.

    One memorable look was during her ‘hastakshar ceremony’ where she wore a special lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani. The outfit had beautiful paintings and intricate craftsmanship, showing India’s rich heritage.